Exercise is important for everyone, but the gym isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. That’s why it’s so important to have workout options that you can do from the comfort of your own home, without having to pay a gym membership.
If you’re looking for an interactive workout experience without having to travel to the gym, then you’re in luck with Hydrow.
Hydrow is a company that specifically makes rowing machines. Basically, a user can move in sync with the rower alongside athletes. It’s a great upper body workout!
The brand boasts over 43 thousand followers on Instagram, and the name has even made its way into a number of different media outlets, including Bloomberg and USA today. Not only that, but Kevin Hart was recently appointed the Creative Director of the company.
If you want to spice out your workouts and improve your well being, then there’s no better way to do so than to invest in some of the Hydrow products.
In this article, we’re going to dive into some of the best products from the brand, their history, the customer ratings, promotions and everything else that you may possibly need to know in order to help you to figure out what will be the best option for you.
Hydrow overview
The water was already a very familiar thing to the founder of Hydrow, Bruce Smith. Smith used to be a coach for a USA rowing national team.
Hydrow was then born back in 2017 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was designed to be an outdoor reality rower, giving users the feeling that they are rowing a real boat from the comfort of their lounge.
Smith has stated that the product was designed to be an engaging way to get individuals interested in fitness. It is an innovative machine that helps to join people together through one singular athletic activity, without even being out on the water.
The best thing about this machine is that you can workout alongside professional athletes as there are live workout sessions provided on screen. It’s designed to be relaxing while still providing an effective workout.
Of course, that’s just a brief history of the products. Here are just a few of the key highlights of these epic machines.
Why you should trust us?
Our team has spent over 15 hours extensively testing and researching the best wellness products, including Hydrow. Our goal is to find the best brands who care about your well-being and help people live better lives. We evaluate beauty products based on their quality, effectiveness and customer support.
We often ask ourselves a simple question: would we buy the product for ourselves and recommend it to our family and friends? This review is reviewed and thoroughly vetted by Zoey Low, our in-house fitness and wellness expert and product tester herself!
The best part of Hydrow
- Every time you purchase a rowing session, some of the proceeds go towards a donation at Water.org.
- There are additional workout sessions that you can enjoy, including strength training, pilates and yoga. These work excellently alongside rowing sessions
- You can enjoy water rowing without even needing to leave your house
- It comes with free standard shipping
- You can pay in installments by using Klarna
- When you get to the 100K milestone, you can get a pair of socks or a water bottle for free
- The bundles all come alongside a 30 day risk free trial
It can sometimes be a little challenging to get started with rowing if you aren’t used to doing it at home.
For this reason, it’s vital that you select a machine that is going to work the best for you. Not only that, but it’s a good idea to buy some accessories, too – Hydrow offer these and some workout equipment that you can use with the rowers.
Some people really like the live rowing memberships for the machines too.
Let’s address the elephant in the room, however. If you want to get a high quality rowing machine, you’re going to need to spend quite a bit of money.
Thankfully though, the company has softened the blow of the monumental purchase by providing free standard shipping. You don’t need to worry if you can’t afford it all in one go either, because you can pay monthly through Klarna.
In addition to the standard price, you will also get the following:
- A 1 year warranty
- A 30 day risk free trial period
- As many profiles per membership as you would like
Now that you know all of the background information, we’re going to dive into the product, in addition to providing some information about some of the most popular accessory kits.
We’re also going to cover what you can gain from investing in one of the live memberships.
Hydrow product line
There are three key choices when it comes to the Hydrow Kits. First is the Hydrow Rower on itself, then there’s the Starter Package, and finally you have the Pro Package.
Let’s talk about every one of them so you can figure out which one will be the best option for you.
The Hydrow Rower
First up is the Hydrow Rower. You may not know this, but rowing is generally considered to be one of the most effective kinds of exercise.
The CEO, Burce Smith, has declared that rowing will effectively utilize around 86% of the muscles in your whole body – this is a pretty staggering amount of time!
Not only that, but it is also a low impact form of exercise and it can build bone density. With this rower, you can have a relaxing time while still providing your body with physical stimulation.
The machine comes with a 22 inch touchscreen that has a HD resolution. It works alongside Bluetooth and Wifi too. It has audio compatibility and heart rate monitors so you can keep track of your pulse and progress. You can do all of this while blasting some of your favorite music!
In addition to this, the rower comes with a computer controlled resistance mechanism. This is designed to replicate the feeling of drag that you would get if you were actually out on the water.
The speakers face the front so you will have no problem hearing the audio. All of these features combined result in a truly enjoyable and immersive experience.
You don’t need to worry about feeling uncomfortable while you exercise, either. It has been specifically designed to ensure that you feel the most comfort possible during your exercise session. It has an ergonomic seat cushion, in addition to an ergonomic handle so the grip is comfortable.
You can adjust the footbed as needed, and the whole frame is super durable too since it’s made out of steel and aluminum. It can facilitate users that weigh up to 375 pounds.
The machine measures 86 inches by 25 inches by 47 inches. This is pretty large, but you don’t need to worry as you can get the Upright Storage Kit for extra money. This will help you to store it in a vertical position when you aren’t using it.
The whole machine is incredibly affordable considering what you’re getting, and it’s even on sale sometimes. If you can’t buy it in bulk then you can even pay monthly installments to cover the costs.
Hydrow Starter Package
Training at home can cost a lot of money, especially when you need so much equipment. Many people invest hundreds of dollars in creating a home gym for themselves.
In addition to that, there’s also a bunch of extra accessories that people usually need to buy, such as rubber mats. You don’t need to worry about the expense of these extra accessories when you get the Hydrow Starter Package, since the cost will cover all of the additional accessories.
Not only that, but you also don’t need to spend your valuable time hunting down additional accessories.
When you buy the starter package, you will get the following items:
- Polar heart rate monitor
- Under machine mat
- Jaybird tarah pro wireless headphones
You can start using this package for a relatively low price, though it does cost more than just the standard machine. Again, you can also pay for this in monthly installments.
The Hydrow Pro Package
If you’re going to take an intense approach to your exercise regime, then you should most certainly invest in the Hydrow Pro Package. It’s the best all in one exercise machine that you can get from the company.
In this package, you will receive the following items:
- Polar heart rate monitor
- 2 yoga blocks
- Performance foam roller
- Under machine mat
- Jaybird tarah pro wireless headphones
- 7 multi resistance band sets
- On the mat workout kit
This is basically everything that you could possibly need for a home workout. It’s the most expensive option of them all but it’s certainly worth it for a comprehensive workout session everyday.
Again, you can pay this off in monthly installments if you don’t have the money upfront.
Hydrow Workout Accessories
There are a lot of benefits to the rowing stroke. It is great for working muscles in your lower body such as the glutes and the quadriceps, in addition to the upper body and core muscles.
Of course, it’s always important to remember that you are unlikely to make much progress from doing the same routine at the same intensity every single day.
Thankfully, Hydrow has considered every single scenario and has created workout equipment that you can use to complement your rowing sessions.
They offer all sorts of gear, including massaging foam rollers, resistance bands, floor workout accessories and a whole bunch of others.
They provide a few tools that you can use to aid you in your workout too, including a heart rate monitor and a floor protector mat that can both work really well with the Hydrow. Here’s our review of these different products.
Hydrow Long Black Machine Mat
If you are planning on using particularly heavy exercise equipment in your home, then it’s always a good idea to ensure that you have a protective mat in place in order to protect your flooring.
This mat is a serious lifesaver for your flooring, since it can save any scratches, dents or smudges on your floors.
The mat is perfectly designed for the Hydrow since it’s a little longer, and it can also be very effective at reducing the amount of vibration and noise coming from the machine. You can get it in a solid black color and it will look fantastic in your workout studio at home.
The price is a little expensive, but it’s worth it to save your flooring. It can be versatile too.
Hydrow Upright Storage Kit
An exercise machine like a rower is a huge asset to your physical health, but if you are limited on space then it can be rather challenging to know what to do with it when you aren’t using it. That’s why the Hydrow Upright Storage Kit is useful.
This will allow you to store your machine vertically. It’s perfect if you want to get your space back in your living room or if you don’t want your guests to be staring at a huge rower when they come to visit.
The kit will store your rower with dimensions of 24 inches by 33 inches. It is very durable too so you don’t need to worry about your machine getting damaged. It’s worth paying a little bit of extra money in order to free up some storage space in your home.
Hydrow Polar OH1 Heart Rate
Heart rate monitoring is pretty important when it comes to keeping track of your workouts. If you know what your heart rate is then it can help you to more accurately assess the amount of calories that you are burning in a workout session.
It can also help you to stay in the right heart rate zone for you to most effectively meet your fitness goals.
This heart rate monitor is very simple to use, just slide it onto your wrist and then let it do its thing! It’s super comfortable and it even works with the rower through ANT+ and Bluetooth Connectivity.
Hydrow Multi Resistance Band Kit
Resistance bands are one of those things that should be in anyone’s workout bag.
Technically, you don’t have to lift free weights in order to get strength gains – resistance bands can often be just as effective. With these resistance bands you can build up your strength and endurance levels, and this is perfect for creating the ideal performance and improving your overall wellness.
They work really well alongside the rower too, helping you to get a comprehensive workout across the board.
The kit comes with a few different things, including:
- 3 resistance bands that have handles
- 2 shorter resistance bands
- 2 longer resistance bands
Resistance bands are super versatile and you can use them for all kinds of workouts – there are even guides on YouTube to show you how to use them. The entire kit is very affordable considering what you are getting, too.
Hydrow Performance Foam Roller
Towing can be pretty hard on your muscles! It is for this reason that it’s so important to make sure that you stretch after an intense workout session. This particular product is great for helping to give your muscles a little bit of relief after a workout routine.
It features a bunch of rigid dents and lines that can help to massage deeply into your legs and back.
This isn’t the only benefit either. Another great thing about it is that it can help to increase the range of motion in your joints after your workouts.
If you want to then you can even use it before your workouts – it’s great for a random massage when you need it! It comes in a gorgeous muted gray color, and it’s a staple for anyone who’s into their fitness.
Hydrow On The Mat Workout Kit
If you’re looking for the best possible kit to go alongside the Hydrow rowing machine, then this is exactly what you need. You can use these for more than just a rowing session. You can use these for your workout sessions in between rowing days.
There’s even an online training service that you can use to see how you can use the items in exercise routines.
The whole kit comes with the following items:
- 2 yoga blocks
- A set of 3 resistance bands with handles
- A pair of short resistance bands
- A pair of long resistance bands
- A workout mat that can be used for numerous activities
It is usually better to use the black resistance bands for any intense resistance bands. When you want something for a less strenuous workout then you can use the blue bands, and green is for the days when you want the lightest load.
It’s best to look at the company’s On the Mat workouts to best utilize this kit. It’s super affordable too, and is the perfect companion to your Hydrow.
Hydrow Membership
When it comes to Hydrow, you can get two main memberships. First of all, you can get the basic Hydrow membership that’s only a small fee every month.
If you wish to do so, it’s actually possible to pre pay a year of the Hydrow membership upfront. It’s also possible to buy one for another person if you go on the store on their website.
Of course, it’s important to mention that the membership is only applicable for one machine. You can create a few profiles for the machine that can be used for your family and friends though.
Alternatively, you can get the slightly cheaper membership that you can pay for through the Hydrow App on IOS devices. It’s great if you don’t currently have a Hydrow machine but you still want to use the workouts that they show off.
You can get a range of different subscription packages too, including the following:
- Hydrow Pro Package
- Hydrow Starter Package
- Hydrow Rower
What Other Customers Are Saying
Okay, so now let’s talk about the opinions of the people that have already used this device. Do people think that it’s worth the money?
Well, if you go online then you will find that the vast majority of reviews are overwhelmingly positive. In fact, it has been ranked 4.7/ 5 stars on the Trustpilot website, and this is with a staggering 3,400 different real customer reviews.
The main thing that people enjoy is the fact that the machine is so easy to use. The workouts aren’t overly complex either, making the machine ideal for a beginner.
Customers have generally said that it’s a lot of fun to exercise using the Hydrow Rower. People really like the on screen sessions too – they even include scenery that you can look at.
One customer stated that the set up only took around 30 minutes, and then they were able to hop right onto the machine and get moving!
She stated that she enjoyed the screen a lot since it allowed her to see a lot of the things that they would see if they were rowing a real boat on the water.
Other customers have praised the video tutorials on the device, claiming that they help a lot with the rowing technique and they even explain the drag in depth.
You can also check Google Reviews, Bestbuy and PCMag. On all of these sites there are an overwhelming amount of positive reviews, especially praising the great classes and the quiet, smooth workouts.
One customer on the BestBuy page for Hydrow specifically noted that the Hydrow made them excited to get moving again. They found that it was very easy for them to maintain an exercise regime with the Hydrow, even on 4 workouts a week. They found that the classes were very engaging and the scenery was fantastic.
Of course, there have been some customers that haven’t been overly fond of the machine. If you look on Reddit then there are a number of customers that aren’t sure whether the Hydrow is necessarily any better than other rowers that you can get for a fraction of the price.
Other Reddit users have stated that it isn’t possible to change the air resistance on the rower. This, combined with the magnetic resistance, meant that they found it difficult to enjoy their workouts.
The company also has an A grade from the Better Business Bureau. There are no complaints that have been listed on the BBB for the company, which is a pretty fantastic achievement.
Is Hydrow worth it?
So now it’s time for the moment of truth. Do we recommend buying Hydrow? Well, we think that it’s certainly something that’s worth investing in if you want a breath of fresh air when it comes to exercise machines.
It’s certainly very different from the ellipticals and treadmills that you may find in the gym.
You will usually find that a lot of exercise equipment that you can buy online will provide you with virtual running sessions but you are generally on the ground. This is not the case with the Hydrow machine.
You can feel like you’re rowing on the water, which can be relaxing while you still reap the benefits of a full body workout.
If you are a rowing enthusiast then this is most certainly the right machine for you. It’s great for rowing all throughout the year. It’s also a good choice for someone who wants a change of pace with their workouts.
Of course, it is worth noting that there has been some negative feedback on the machine. This would not be a comprehensive review if we didn’t acknowledge that fact.
There are some people that have said it isn’t nearly as adjustable as they would like, while others have said that this isn’t much better than most other rowing machines that you can buy online.
Of course, it’s also important to be aware of the sheer amount of positive feedback that the feedback has gotten. It’s a truly unique machine and the chances are that you are far more likely to have a fantastic time using the machine.
We certainly believe that this machine is worth the money if you buy it. It’s definitely worth getting a membership for the machine so you can really enjoy exercising once more. You may even find yourself more likely to work out. Exercise is good for your health, and that’s worth its weight in gold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Possible To Use This Machine Without A Subscription?
If you are going to buy a Hydrow machine, you are going to need to purchase the membership too. It is possible to access any of the online content if you don’t have the machine though – just sign up on the Hydrow Digital Basic membership that you can find on the IOS App Store.
Is It Possible To Watch Netflix On This Rower?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to watch Netflix on this device. This is because the screen has been made in such a way that it is only capable of displaying the company’s workout content.
Is This A Water Rower?
This machine is basically what’s known as a virtual water rowing machine. When using it, you can replicate the motions and experiences of rowing on the water without even needing to leave your house.
Is It Possible To Lose Weight Using This Device?
Yes, it is indeed! Rowing is a great way to lose weight since it gets your body moving. This is best combined with a balanced diet to achieve peak wellness.
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